Efficiency of radiofrequency ablation for surgical treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation in rheumatic valvular disease

Background

It remains unclear whether concomitant radiofrequency ablation procedure in valvular surgery could offer additional benefits to patients with rheumatic valvular disease. We designed a prospective and randomized control study to evaluate the efficacy of surgical radiofrequency ablation in patients with rheumatic heart disease.

Methods

From June 2008 to July 2011, 210 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and rheumatic heart disease were randomized: (1) control group, patients underwent only valve replacement followed by amiodarone for rhythm control, (2) left atrial group (LA group), patients underwent valve replacement and left atrial mono-polar radiofrequency ablation, (3) bi-atrial group (BA group), patients underwent valve replacement and bi-atrial mono-polar radiofrequency ablation. The primary endpoints included: cardiac death, stroke, and recurrent AF after discharge.

Results

There was no perioperative death. One patient died 4 months after MVR in BA group. In univariate Cox analysis, the two ablation groups were associated with less AF (BA group vs control group: P < 0.001; LA group vs control group: P < 0.001) as well as atrial tachycardia arrhythmia (AF/AT/AFL) recurrent (BA group vs control group: P < 0.001; LA group vs control group: P = 0.02). The comparison between BA and LA groups revealed no differences in terms of AF (P = 0.06) or AF/AT/AFL (P = 0.09). Atrial transport function restoration rate 12 months after operation was 31.4% in LA group, 32.9% in BA group, and 8.6% in control group respectively (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Radiofrequency ablation concurring with valvular surgery can bring a higher sinus rhythm restoration rate when compared with medical anti-arrhythmic drug therapy in low-medium risk rheumatic heart disease.The trial was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov (registry number NCT01013688).